The Future of Weed Control is Different than Today—Have You Adapted?
Farm Journal Field Days is happening this week and includes live and on-demand education, networking and entertainment. Register now!
They creep, they crawl, they vine, they grow more than 15’ tall! Weeds are a nemesis many farmers know all-too-well, but what is the future of this pest? What is the future of weed control, including herbicides?
You’ll learn all of those questions and more at the session titled “Gain Control of Weeds Despite Regulatory Changes” during Farm Journal Field Days. Here’s a brief look at some of the weeds and weed issues university experts will discuss.
“As long as we rely on herbicides [alone], waterhemp will be the No. 1 problem [in some states],” according to Bob Hartzler, Iowa State University Extension weed scientist.
Experts say herbicides can’t be the only solution—learn more about what alternatives there are here and tune into this session to gain even greater insight.
Waterhemp is a weed that snuck onto the scene and became the most damaging pest in the state of Iowa, Hartzler continues, and one that will continue to plague fields. “Other than that, we’re fighting the same weeds my predecessors fought.”
Down in Tennessee, Larry Steckel, weed scientist at the University of Tennessee, says farmers are all aware of what’s going on with broadleaves—it’s the sneaky, resistant grasses they need to watch for in fields.
Check out recent news about dicamba-resistant Palmer amaranth in Tennessee here and learn even more details during this session!
Specifically, goosegrass, jungle rice, barnyardgrass and Johnson grass, all of which are resistant to multiple, popular herbicides, are threatening farmer fields, Steckel says. If farmers don’t find new chemistries or alternatives to chemical control, these grass weeds will continue to steal from bottom lines.
Aaron Hager, Extension weed scientist at the University of Illinois, reminds no weeds are OK and even some of the old problems should still be top-of-mind. Velvetleaf, cocklebur, morning glory—they’re all weeds he’s talked about for years, but they still pop up in fields and steal yield.
Perhaps even more concerning, some of the old problem weeds are evolving, too. Hager points to giant ragweed and marestail as their populations are growing, thanks to herbicide resistance in multiple modes of action.
Be sure to tune into this weed control session on demand to learn how mosquitos altered the course of one scientists life to turn his focus onto weeds and their biology.
How do you join?
- Register here
- Once registered, Click here to login.
- Go to the “agenda” tab and find the session labeled Gain Control of Weeds Despite Regulatory Challenges
Farm Journal Field Days is a new farm show designed to provide farm and ranch leaders across America with three days of virtual discussion, tours, solutions, entertainment and information from key industry leaders that is accessible from anywhere. It’s taking place this week – Aug. 25-27. Register now to join the fun!
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